Virtual world system, server computer and information processor

ABSTRACT

Objects which are created in conformity with the data format of objects to be handled in a virtual world, are offered to users on the terminal computers of the users independently of the virtual world. The users transmit the offered objects to a server computer which generates the virtual world, while the server computer stores these objects in association with the operators. Since these objects are recorded in the format which can be interpreted by the server computer for generating the virtual world, they can be handled in the virtual world likewise to the other objects which are defined in the virtual world beforehand. Thus, the users are permitted to use in the virtual world the objects which are different from the objects defined in the virtual world beforehand.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a virtual world system in which a large number of users can virtually communicate with one another by utilizing a computer network.

[0002] 1. Background of the Invention

[0003] A virtual world system of the type in which multiple users participate, is known as one aspect of communications utilizing a computer network. This is a system wherein a virtual world is generated in a server computer, characters who are the avatars of the users are caused to appear into the virtual world, and the characters are permitted to perform various actions, such as movements and conversations, through user operations. Besides, the situations of the virtual world, the character who is a subject for the operation of each user, and the characters who are operated by the other participant users are displayed within the display screen of a terminal computer which is used by each user participating in the virtual world system, whereby the users share an identical field, and virtual communications are realized.

[0004] 2. Disclosure of the Invention

[0005] In general, in a virtual world system of the multiple-user participation type, characters who are the avatars of users can possess objects in a virtual world. By way of example, the character to whom the role of a warrior is cast possesses a weapon in the virtual world, and the character to whom the role of a merchant is cast possesses an article of commerce. In this manner, diversity is given to the characters in the virtual world, whereby a virtual society full of variety can be formed.

[0006] However, the objects which the characters can possess in the virtual world have been limited to ones defined in the virtual world beforehand, and the participant users have inevitably selected from among the predefined objects, the objects such as items possessed by the characters who are the avatars of the users. This has incurred, for example, a situation where many of the characters possess similar items. If such a restriction is cleared away so that the characters can possess items peculiar to the users, the amusingness of the virtual world system will increase, and the virtual world system will become more enjoyable to the users.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a virtual world system in which users can use objects other than ones defined in a virtual world beforehand.

[0008] In order to accomplish the object, the present invention provides a virtual world system having a server computer, and a plurality of terminal computers connected to the server computer, wherein avatars of operators of the terminal computers are displayed in a virtual world generated on the server computer, and they are caused to act on the basis of operations from the terminal computers, characterized by comprising:

[0009] object offer means for offering virtual objects to the operators of said terminal computers;

[0010] object transmission means for transmitting the offered objects to said server computer;

[0011] object storage means for receiving said objects, and for storing them in association with said operators of said terminal computers having transmitted them; and

[0012] object display means for displaying the stored objects in the virtual world on the basis of the operations of said operators.

[0013] Besides, the present invention provides a server computer having virtual world generation means for generating a virtual world, and for outputting symbols to act in the virtual world in accordance with operations from participant terminals, to the participant terminals, characterized by comprising:

[0014] an object record area in which data concerning objects available in said virtual world are stored in conformity with a predetermined data format;

[0015] object display means for displaying the objects in said virtual world by reference to said object record area; and

[0016] object data acceptance means for accepting from the participants the object data recorded in the predetermined data format, and for recording the accepted object data in said object record area.

[0017] Further, the present invention provides an information processor characterized by comprising:

[0018] game offer means for offering a game which presents a problem to a player, and which awards a virtual object to the player when the problem has been cleared;

[0019] the object to-be-awarded having been recorded in said predetermined data format mentioned before; and

[0020] transmission means for transmitting the awarded object to said server computer as defined before.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the outline of the construction of an embodiment.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the functional architecture of a server computer.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the format of object data which is stored in a virtual world generation database.

[0024]FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the functional architecture of a terminal computer.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of processing steps in this embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0026] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this example, there will be exemplified the mode in which a virtual world is generated on a server computer, and in which, using a terminal computer, each user plays a game permitting him/her to acquire an item and participates in the virtual world while carrying the item acquired in the game.

[0027]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the outline of the construction of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, this embodiment is so constructed that a plurality of terminal computers 20 a, 20 b, 20 c . . . are connected to a server computer 10 through a network 30 such as the Internet.

[0028] Users access the server computer 10 by using the respective terminal computers 20, whereby they can participate in a virtual world generated on the server computer 10. The virtual world is displayed on the display screens of the terminal computers 20 of the users participating in the virtual world, and also the avatars of the respective participant users are displayed as characters.

[0029] Besides, the action of the character who is the avatar of each user, in the virtual world is determined by an operation which the user has performed for his/her own terminal computer 20, and the action of the character is reflected also on the display screens of the terminal computers 20 of the other users.

[0030] In this embodiment, each character in the virtual world is capable of using items, such as a car and a telephone, in the virtual world, in addition to performing the action such as movement and conversation. Besides, the state of use of the item is displayed on the terminal computer 20 of the user pertinent to the character using the item, and the situation of the use is displayed also on the terminal computers of the users pertinent to the other characters.

[0031] Further, in this example, not only the items predefined and available in the virtual world, but also any item acquired in a game separate from the virtual world by each user can be utilized in the virtual world.

[0032]FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the functional architecture of the server computer 10 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the server computer 10 is built including a virtual world control unit 101, a communication control unit 102, a virtual world generation database 103, a database for user management 104, and a data storage area for users 105.

[0033] Incidentally, the server computer 10 can be built by employing an information processor, such as a server computer or a personal computer, which has a general architecture including a central processing unit (CPU); a main storage device; an auxiliary storage device such as hard disk drive; a reader for reading data from a portable storage medium such as CD-ROM or DVD-ROM; an input device such as keyboard or mouse; a display device such as display; a communication device for communicating with the terminal computers 20 etc. through the Internet; and an interface for governing data transmission/reception among the constituents mentioned above.

[0034] The virtual world control unit 101 loads object data concerning topography, buildings and the like objects in the virtual world, from the virtual world generation database 103, so as to generate the virtual world on the server computer 10, and it broadcasts the virtual world through the communication control unit 102 to the terminal computers 20 accessing this server computer 10, whereby the users of the respective terminal computers 20 are permitted to participate in the virtual world.

[0035] Besides, the virtual world control unit 101 generates data for displaying the actions etc. of the characters based on the operations of the respective users, by employing character displaying data, item displaying data etc. recorded in the virtual world generation database 103. Then, it broadcasts the generated data through the communication control unit 102 to the respective terminal computers 20 participating in the virtual world.

[0036] Here, the virtual world generation database 103 is a database in which the object data concerning topography, buildings and the like objects in the virtual world, and the object data concerning the characters, items etc. are stored as stated above.

[0037] The object data stored in the virtual world generation database 103 can be described in a format 50 as shown in FIG. 3 by way of example.

[0038] Referring to the figure, the object data format 50 has items and values corresponding to the items, and it includes an object ID 501, an appellation 502, an attribute 503, a possessor 504, a size 505, a current position 506 and a displaying image 507 as the items.

[0039] The object ID 501 is a code for identifying the particular object. The virtual world control unit 101 manages the action etc. of the object, for example, character on the basis of the code.

[0040] The appellation 502 is the appellation of the particular object. By way of example, in a case where the object is the character, it is possible that the user gives the character his/her favorite appellation. Besides, when the object is the building in the virtual world, it is possible that an appellation is given to the building beforehand.

[0041] The attribute 503 can be set as, for example, the character, car or building, and it expresses the category of the particular object. The property of the object in the virtual world, for example, the movability of the object or the contents of the operation which the user can perform for the object, is determined by the value of the attribute 503.

[0042] The possessor 504 expresses the possessor of the particular object. In a case where the object is the item such as portable telephone, the possessor of the item can be specified, and information on the possessor is determined by this item. By way of example, when the particular object is the possession of any specified user, a user ID to be explained later can be set as the value of the possessor 504. Of course, possessors are not specified for some objects.

[0043] The size 505 expresses the size of the particular object in the virtual world. Each object is displayed on the display devices of the terminal computers 20 with sizes which are proportional to the value specified by the size 505.

[0044] The current position 506 expresses the current position of the particular object in the virtual world. The position of the object in the virtual world can be specified by, for example, two-dimensional or three-dimensional coordinate values. In a case where the object moves, the value of this item is updated every predetermined interval.

[0045] The displaying image 507 is image data for causing the display devices of the terminal computers 20 to display the particular object. Since the virtual world is usually displayed in three-dimensional fashion, the displaying image 507 is recorded as the image data having information of three dimensions. Besides, in a case where the object has a movable property, data from which the images of respective states (for example, a state where the object is walking, and a state where the object carries something) are also recorded.

[0046] The virtual world control unit 101 loads the object data recorded in the format explained above, so as to display the particular object in the virtual world on the basis of the displaying image 507 and to determine the property of the object on the basis of the attribute.

[0047] Besides, insofar as object data is recorded in the foregoing format, the virtual world control unit 101 can interpret even the object data recorded in any data storage area other than that of the virtual world database 103 and can handle it likewise to the object data recorded in the virtual world database 103.

[0048] Incidentally, the data concerning topography, buildings and the like objects in the virtual world may well be held in the respective terminal computers 20 beforehand. In this case, a CD-ROM or the like recording medium in which the data concerning topography, buildings and the like objects in the virtual world are recorded is previously distributed to each user who is to participate in the virtual world, or the data are previously broadcast to each user by utilizing a communication channel or the like, and the terminal computer 20 displays the virtual world on its display device by reference to the data. Besides, the virtual world control unit 101 broadcasts the data concerning the characters to act in the virtual world, the items or the likes, to the terminal computer 20.

[0049] The communication control unit 102 controls the communication device, and processes various protocols required for the server computer 10 to communicate with the terminal computers 20, etc.

[0050] The database for user management 104 manages the IDs and passwords of the users who participate in the virtual world. More specifically, in this example, in order to participate in the virtual world, each user needs to enter user registration in the server computer 10 beforehand. The virtual world control unit 101 prompts the user having accessed the server computer 10, to input his/her ID and password. Subsequently, it collates the inputted ID and password by reference to the database for user management 104, and it authorizes the authenticated user to participate in the virtual world.

[0051] The data storage area for users 105 is a storage area which is given to the users having finished the user registration. A dedicated storage area of predetermined size in the data storage area for users 105 is allotted to each user. The storage area allotted to the user can be identified with, for example, the user ID as a key.

[0052] By way of example, data concerning an item which the user has obtained in a game played through the terminal computer can be recorded in the data storage area for users 105. If the format of the data concerning the item conforms to the object data format 50 explained before, the virtual world control unit 101 can cause this item to appear in the virtual world, by reference to the data recorded in the data storage area for users 105.

[0053]FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the functional architecture of the terminal computer 20 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal computer 20 is built including a game control unit 201, a virtual world participation control unit 202, a communication control unit 203, an input control unit 204, a display control unit 205, and an object database for a game 206.

[0054] Incidentally, the terminal computer 10 can be built by employing an information processor, such as a personal computer or an entertainment apparatus, which has a general architecture including a central processing unit (CPU); a main storage device; an external storage device such as hard disk drive; a reader for reading data from a portable storage medium such as CD-ROM or DVD-ROM; an input device such as controller, keyboard or mouse; a display device such as display; a communication device for communicating with the server computers 10 etc. through the Internet; and an interface for governing data transmission/reception among the constituents mentioned above.

[0055] The game control unit 201 is implemented in such a way that a game program stored in the portable storage medium such as CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, a game program obtained through the communication device, or the like is loaded into the main storage device, and that the CPU runs the program.

[0056] The game which is offered by the game control unit 201 need not be associated with the virtual world generated on the server computer 10, but it can be executed on the terminal computer 20 independently. Besides, the genre and contents of the game are as desired.

[0057] In this example, the game offered by the game control unit 201 is assumed a racing game. The user operates the input device such as controller, thereby to operate a racing car to-be-operated displayed on a display screen and to play a race.

[0058] The racing car or the like object which appears in the racing game is displayed on the display screen of the display device through the display control unit 205 in such a way that the game control unit 201 loads object data recorded in the object database for a game 206.

[0059] Here, the object data of the object database for a game 206 are data stored in the portable storage medium such as CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, or data stored in the storage device such as hard disk. The game control unit 201 loads the data and causes the display device to display them through the display control unit 205 as may be needed.

[0060] Besides, some or all of the object data recorded in the object database for a game 206 are recorded in conformity with the object data format 50 of the virtual world as exemplified in FIG. 3.

[0061] The virtual world participation control unit 202 is implemented in such a way that a program stored in the portable storage medium such as CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, a program obtained through the communication device, or the like is loaded into the main storage device, and that the CPU runs the program.

[0062] The virtual world participation control unit 202 communicates with the virtual world control unit 101 of the server computer 10 through the communication control unit 203, and it receives data for generating the virtual world and causes the display device of the terminal computer 20 to display the image of the virtual world through the display control unit 205, while it transmits the operation contents of the user accepted through the input control unit 204, to the virtual world control unit 101.

[0063] The communication control unit 203 controls the communication device, and processes various protocols required for the terminal computer 20 to communicate with the server computers 10, etc.

[0064] The input control unit 204 has the interface function of accepting the operation of the user through the input device such as controller or keyboard, and transferring the operation contents to the game control unit 201 as well as the virtual world participation control unit 202.

[0065] The display control unit 205 generates display screen data by subjecting the screen data delivered from the game control unit 201 as well as the virtual world participation control unit 202, to a composition process etc. The generated display screen data are outputted to the display device, and the display device having received the data displays an image on the display screen in accordance with the display screen data.

[0066] Next, the processing steps of this embodiment will be described.

[0067]FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of the processing steps of this embodiment.

[0068] The user having finished the user registration for the virtual world of the server computer 10 plays the game by using the terminal computer 20 (S101). Here, the racing game will be exemplified as explained before.

[0069] In this game, when the user has fulfilled a predetermined condition, for example, becoming the top, in a race imposed in the racing game, he/she is decided as having cleared the race (S102), and an original racing car is given to the user (S103). Then, the user is permitted to use the racing car in subsequent races.

[0070] Object data concerning the racing car is stored in the object database for a game 206 beforehand, and the game control unit 201 brings the object data into a status available to the user, on condition that the user has cleared the race.

[0071] Besides, the object data is recorded in conformity with the predetermined object data format 50 which the virtual world control unit 101 can interpret. However, it may well be recorded in any format which is alterable to the object data format 50.

[0072] In a case where the user wants to bring the acquired racing car to the virtual world (S104), he/she accesses the server computer 10 by utilizing the virtual world participation control unit 202. Subsequently, the user participates in the virtual world by inputting his/her user ID and password (S105).

[0073] Thereafter, the user saves the object data concerning the obtained racing car, in his/her own area of the data storage area for users 105. By way of example, the user can save the object data in his/her own area of the data storage area for users 105 in such a way that a command menu for object transmission is prepared in the virtual world participation control unit 202 beforehand, and that the user selects the menu and designates an object to-be-transmitted. By the way, in a case where the racing car is recorded in the format alterable to the object data format 50 as explained before, the object data has its format converted into the object data format 50 before being saved in the data storage area for users 105.

[0074] On this occasion, the attribute 503 is set to be a car, and the possessor 504 is set to be the user recorded in the area for users 105. Besides, image data recorded in the object database for a game 206 in the racing game is recorded in the displaying image 507.

[0075] Then, the virtual world control unit 101 can interpret the object data recorded in the storage data area for users 105, and cause the object to appear in the virtual world. A display image at this time can be generated by reference to that displaying image 507 of the object data concerning the racing car which is recorded as stated above. Thus, the image of the racing car can be displayed also on the terminal computers 10 of the other users. Besides, the virtual world control unit 101 recognizes that the object is the car, by reference to the attribute, and it implements the function of the car in the virtual world. Concretely, the car can travel in the virtual world while carrying the character of the user, on the basis of the user operation. Further, since the possessor is specified, any user other than the pertinent user having acquired the racing car in the game can be prevented from operating the car.

[0076] In this way, the users are permitted to use in the virtual world, even objects which are other than objects defined in the virtual world beforehand.

[0077] Incidentally, the present invention is not restricted to the embodiment described above, but it is capable of various modifications within the scope of the subject matter thereof.

[0078] By way of example, although the example has been described as to the example in which each user brings the item acquired in the game, to the virtual world, it is also allowed that the user creates an item object conforming to the object data format of the virtual world by himself/herself by utilizing, for example, item creating application software, and that he/she transmits the item object to the server computer 10 so as to save it in the data storage area for users 105. In this case, the original items of the respective users can be brought to the virtual world.

[0079] Moreover, the objects which are brought to the virtual world are not restricted to items, but characters themselves may well be brought to the virtual world. By way of example, it is also allowed that the game to be executed on the terminal computer 10 is a role-playing game, and that, when the game is cleared, the object data of the character who is in charge of the user can be saved in the data storage area for users 105 of the server computer 10.

[0080] As described above, according to the present invention, users are permitted to use in a virtual world, objects which are other than objects defined in the virtual world beforehand. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A virtual world system having a server computer, and a plurality of terminal computers connected to the server computer, wherein avatars of operators of the terminal computers are displayed in a virtual world generated on the server computer, and they are caused to act on the basis of operations from the terminal computers, comprising: object offer means for offering virtual objects to the operators of said terminal computers; object transmission means for transmitting the offered objects to said server computer; object storage means for receiving said objects, and for storing them in association with said operators of said terminal computers having transmitted them; and object display means for displaying the stored objects in the virtual world on the basis of the operations of said operators.
 2. A server computer having virtual world generation means for generating a virtual world, and for outputting symbols to act in the virtual world in accordance with operations from participant terminals, to the participant terminals, comprising: an object record area in which data concerning objects available in said virtual world are stored in conformity with a predetermined data format; object display means for displaying the objects in said virtual world by reference to said object record area; and object data acceptance means for accepting from the participants the object data recorded in the predetermined data format, and for recording the accepted object data in said object record area.
 3. A server computer as defined in claim 2, wherein: said object data acceptance means records said accepted object data in said object record area in association with said participants pertinent to said object data; and said object display means refers to the recorded object data on the basis of the operations from the associated participants.
 4. An information processor comprising: game offer means for offering a game which presents a problem to a player, and which awards a virtual object to the player when the problem has been cleared; the object to-be-awarded having been recorded in said predetermined data format mentioned in claim 2; and transmission means for transmitting the awarded object to said server computer as defined in claim
 2. 5. An information processor as defined in claim 4, further comprising: means for permitting said player to access said server computer as defined in claim 2, and to participate in said virtual world generated on said server computer; and means for making said awarded object available to the operator in said virtual world in which he/she has participated.
 6. A program for causing an information processor to execute a game which presents a problem to a player, and which awards a virtual object to the player when the problem has been cleared; wherein the object to-be-awarded has been recorded in said predetermined data format mentioned in claim 2; and said program causes the information processor to execute a transmission process for transmitting the awarded object to said server computer as defined in claim
 2. 7. A program as defined in claim 6, further causing said information processor to execute: a process for permitting said player to access said server computer as defined in claim 2, and to participate in said virtual world generated on said server computer; and a process for making said awarded object available to the operator in said virtual world in which he/she has participated.
 8. A program for causing an information processor to execute a process which accepts an operation from an operator, and which creates a virtual object on the basis of the operation, said program causing the information processor to execute: a process for recording the created object in conformity with said predetermined data format as mentioned in claim 2; and a transmission process for transmitting the recorded object to said server computer as defined in claim
 2. 9. A program as defined in claim 8, wherein: an attribute is set for said object which is transmitted to said server computer; and a mode in which the operator uses said object in said virtual world is determined based on the attribute.
 10. An information processor-readable recording medium in which said program as defined in any one of claims 6 through 9 is recorded.
 11. A virtual world offering method which generates a virtual world on a server computer connected to a computer network, and which outputs symbols to act in the virtual world in accordance with operations from participant terminals, to the participant terminals, wherein: when data concerning objects available in said virtual world have been accepted in a predetermined data format from the participants; the objects are registered as possessions of the pertinent participants, and are handled as objects available to said pertinent participants in said virtual world. 